Study of the salinity and pH dilution pattern of discharged brine of the Konarak desalination plant into the Chabahar bay: a case study

Abstract

This research aims to study the salinity and pH dilution pattern of discharged brine of the Konarak desalination plant into the Chabahar bay, their relation on coastal environment, and type of its brine discharge. Due to the shallow water depth of the coast and type of brine discharge, evaluating the salinity and pH was done with a sampling of surface seawater. The type of brine disposal is a direct surface discharge of negatively buoyant flow in the coastal environment of Chabahar bay. The brine discharge mechanism is a shore-attached surface jet, which is most likely influenced by the cross-flow deflection, dynamic shoreline interaction, and more minor by bottom attachment factors. The laboratory simulations using actual brine and seawater and either satellite pictures support the finding dilution pattern. The zone of initial dilution is under 50 m which, in the long run, can affect the quality of water of intake seawater pool of the plant.

Impacts of Desalination Brine Discharge on Benthic Ecosystems

“…Surface brine discharge via human-made canals or short pipelines ,,,, is a simple and cheap approach, as the brine is directly disposed at the shoreline where the water depth is shallow (<5 m) , (Figure ). It has been shown that brine disposed using this technology can affect a coastal area of up to 5 km 2 . ,, The brine is typically diluted with the cooling water of an adjacent power plant to achieve neutral buoyancy and enhance the mixing of the brine plume in the receiving environment, thus minimizing its environmental footprint. , The brine discharge mixed with the cooling water is often warmer (by 0.5–15 °C) than the receiving environment (especially during wintertime), leading to an increase in temperature around the mixing zone. , The combination of high seawater temperatures and the hypersaline brine can reduce O 2 saturation near the discharge point, while at the same time, provide a competitive advantage to organisms that thrive in warmer waters, − promoting the success of invasive tropical species …”

“…The area impacted by the discharged brine depends on various factors, including discharge volumes, brine and seawater densities, dilution factors, discharge technology, coastal bathymetry, water currents, and tidal and wave activity. 19,36,46,64,71 Surface brine discharge via human-made canals or short pipelines 12,57,59,72,73 is a simple and cheap approach, as the brine is directly disposed at the shoreline where the water depth is shallow (<5 m) 48,64 (Figure 1). It has been shown that brine disposed using this technology can affect a coastal area of up to 5 km 2 .…”